Turkey’s Albayrak says the country looks set for ‘soft landing’ after lira crash

IFC increases collaboration with TUSIAD in support for Turkey’s private sector

Domestic Politics:

CHP determines mayoral candidates after internal party disputes

Zuhtu Arslan re-elected as chair of Turkey’s Constitutional Court

CHP, IYI Party resolve disputes on alliance for polls

Foreign Policy

Turkey aims to form safe zones in Syria for refugees to returnTurkey is aiming to form safe zones in northern Syria so that around 4 million of Syrian refugees hosted by Turkey could return, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. Speaking in Istanbul, Erdogan also said nearly 300,000 Syrians had already returned and that he expected millions of Syrian nationals would return to the safe areas.
Reuters, Turkey aims to form safe zones in Syria for refugees to return, 28 January 2019

U.N. investigator arrives in Turkey to start Jamal Khashoggi inquiryA United Nations investigation team arrived in Turkey on Monday to start an inquiry into the killing of the Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi three months ago inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.
New York Times, U.N. investigator arrives in Turkey to start Jamal Khashoggi inquiry, 28 January 2019

Turkey’s Erdogan voices support for Venezuela’s MaduroTurkish President Tayyip Erdogan phoned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to offer support, and said on Thursday he was shocked that Washington had backed the opposition leader’s move to declare himself interim leader.
Reuters, Turkey’s Erdogan voices support for Venezuela’s Maduro, 24 January 2019

US envoy for Syria Jeffrey visits TurkeyU.S. special envoy for Syria engagement James Jeffrey will travel to Turkey on Jan. 24 for talks on the war-torn country, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has said.
Hurriyet, US envoy for Syria Jeffrey visits Turkey, 24 January 2019

Economy & Energy

Turkey to begin drilling for resources around CyprusTurkey will begin drilling for resources around Cyprus, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday, a move that could create tensions with neighboring Cyprus and Greece over ownership of natural resources.
Reuters, Turkey to begin drilling for resources around Cyprus, 25 January 2019

Turkey’s Albayrak says the country looks set for ‘soft landing’ after lira crashThe man in the cockpit of the Turkish economy is preparing it for a “soft landing” after bouts of severe currency turbulence. While Turkey is increasingly at risk of its first recession in a decade, Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak said the economy is actually showing signs of a slowdown in line with the government’s plan to shift to “quality-based growth” after the lira’s crash capped years of runaway expansion.
Bloomberg, Turkey’s Albayrak says the country looks set for ‘soft landing’ after lira crash, 24 January 2019

IFC increases collaboration with TUSIAD in support for Turkey’s private sectorIFC, a member of the World Bank Group and TUSIAD (Turkish Industry & Business Association) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Istanbul, which will allow the institutions to explore new opportunities for cooperation in several themes to promote the development of Turkey’s private sector.
WebWire, IFC increases collaboration with TUSIAD in support for Turkey’s private sector, 23 January 2019

Domestic Politics

CHP determines mayoral candidates after internal party disputesThe main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has determined mayoral candidates for the districts of the provinces of Istanbul and İzmir following nightlong negotiations at a party assembly meeting until the early hours of Jan. 28 amid a series of disputes between members.
Hurriyet, CHP determines mayoral candidates after internal party disputes, 28 January 2019

Zuhtu Arslan re-elected as chair of Turkey’s Constitutional CourtTurkey’s Constitutional Court re-elected Zühtü Arslan as its chairman on Jan. 24. In the voting, Arslan received the support of nine members, while his opponent, Rıdvan Güleç, received five votes. Kadir Özkaya, who withdrew from the nomination, won one vote only. Arslan will serve as president for four more years.
Hurriyet, Zuhtu Arslan re-elected as chair of Turkey’s Constitutional Court, 25 January 2019

CHP, IYI Party resolve disputes on alliance for pollsMain opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and İYİ (Good) Party leader Meral Akşener have resolved issues both parties have been at odds over the upcoming local elections.
Hurriyet, CHP, IYI Party resolve disputes on alliance for polls, 22 January 2019